Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Two powerful new books say today’s global warming is due not to human activity but primarily to a long, moderate solar-linked cycle. Unstoppable Global Warming Every 1500 Years, by physicist Fred Singer and economist Dennis Avery was released just before Christmas. The Chilling Stars: A New Theory of Climate Change, by Danish physicist Henrik Svensmark and former BBC science writer Nigel Calder (Icon Books), is due out in March.

Singer and Avery note that most of the earth’s recent warming occurred before 1940, and thus before much human-emitted CO2. Moreover, physical evidence shows 600 moderate warmings in the earth’s last million years. The evidence ranges from ancient Nile flood records, Chinese court documents and Roman wine grapes to modern spectral analysis of polar ice cores, deep seabed sediments, and layered cave stalagmites.

Unstoppable Global Warming shows the earth’s temperatures following variations in solar intensity through centuries of sunspot records, and finds cycles of sun-linked isotopes in ice and tree rings. The book cites the work of Svensmark, who says cosmic rays vary the earth’s temperatures by creating more or fewer of the low, wet clouds that cool the earth. It notes that global climate models can’t accurately register cloud effects.

The Chilling Stars relates how Svensmark’s team mimicked the chemistry of earth’s atmosphere, by putting realistic mixtures of atmospheric gases into a large reaction chamber, with ultraviolet light as a stand-in for the sun. When they turned on the UV, microscopic droplets—cloud seeds—started floating through the chamber.

“We were amazed by the speed and efficiency with which the electrons [generated by cosmic rays] do their work of creating the building blocks for the cloud condensation nuclei,” says Svensmark.

The Chilling Stars documents how cosmic rays amplify small changes in the sun’s irradiance fourfold, creating 1-2 degree C cycles in earth’s temperatures: Cosmic rays continually slam into the earth’s atmosphere from outer space, creating ion clusters that become seeds for small droplets of water and sulfuric acid. The droplets then form the low, wet clouds that reflect solar energy back into space. When the sun is more active, it shields the earth from some of the rays, clouds wane, and the planet warms.

Unstoppable Global Warming documents the reality of a moderate, natural, 1500-year climate cycle on the earth. The Chilling Stars explains the why and how.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Girl-power feminists who got where they are by marrying men with money or power -- Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record), Arianna Huffington andJohn Kerry -- love to complain about how hard it is for a woman to be taken seriously.

It has nothing to do with their being women. It has to do with their cheap paths to power. Kevin Federline isn't taken seriously either.

It is as easy to imagine Americans voting for someone like Margaret Thatcher or Condoleezza Rice for president as it is difficult to imagine them voting for someone like Hillary. (Or Kevin Federline.) Hillary isn't piggybacking on Thatcher because she's a woman, she's piggybacking on Thatcher because Thatcher made it on her own, which Hillary did not.

But the most urgent question surrounding Hillary's candidacy is: How will the Democrats out-macho us if Hillary is their presidential nominee? Unlike their last presidential nominee, she doesn't even have any fake Purple Hearts.

At least Hillary is more manly than Kerry or Edwards.Go read the whole thing here.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

93 (out of 100) 3X.This target was shot in two strings of 5 shots in 10 seconds, one-handed, at 50 feet, with a Series 80 Colt Gold Cup in 45 ACP.I can pull this off occasionally in rimfire (22 LR) competition, but have never managed this in centerfire.

And no, I can by no stretch of the imagination do this all the time, but it can be done, apparently.The hardware quite capable. I just have to get my software and fleshware tweaked in.

Mind over matter.

Which means I need to practice more. Yay!!

I shot that target last week.

This week, I watched one of the guys I compete with shoot a perfect 100.Just to keep me humble. (No mean feat, there.)Talk about a motivator. Wow! Nice job, JD.(This is the second time I've seen him do that in 4 weeks!!)

Someday...

I should hang this on up at work, just to what kind of reactions I get.Heh.(click on picture for an up close and personal view.)

Since God, the Benefactor of our civil rights, declares that a child is a person "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights...", we need examine which constitutionalrights are violated when a child is aborted.

A. Declaration of Independence: A child is "...endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...". Thus abortiondenies the child this most basic of their God-given rights.

B. 6th Amendment in essence states that "...the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial...to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor..."Abortion imposes the penalty for a capital crime upon an unborn child. The child is brutally executed without charge and without the protections of this amendment.

C. 8th Amendment: This guarantees protection against "...cruel and unusual punishments..."First, the child is not guilty of anything worthy of punishment. Secondly, the unwarranted punishment of abortion is, by it's nature "cruel and unusual".Nowhere in America is the death penalty imposed by dismemberment in tearing the person apart until dead. Nowhere in America is the death penalty imposed which burns a person to death.Abortion is an execution worse than that given to mass murderers. Many convicted murderers are permitted to live. Not so with an unborn child who’s guilty being alive.

D. 14 AmendmentThis amendment guarantees the protection of due process."...No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States, nor shall any state deprive any person of life,liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."To destroy an unborn child is a clear denial of their right to "due process" and,contrary to the provisions of this amendment abortion is a denial of the unborn child's rightto "...equal protection of the laws." which includes the protection of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.", the core of our national and individual existence.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

One week ago, Katie sat down for a briefing at the White House, and noticed something unusual.

Yeah, she noticed she had no business being there because she is a biased hack with crappy ratings.Speak, 'o' mistress of all that is good and right...

Last Wednesday, President Bush gave his address to the country about “the new way forward” for Iraq, and lots of journalists—including me, of course [BECAUSE I'M SPECIAL!!]—were in Washington to cover it. But before the Big Speech, there was the little-known Big Meeting.

I certainly hope Katie's Big Head fit through the door.

The White House invited all the network anchors, and some cable anchors [Ewww!], along with the Sunday political show hosts to a meeting with unnamed VERY senior administration officials.

[Revision: I'M EXTRA SPECIAL!V-I-P!!]

(Obviously I know their names, but the agreement was that in order to attend the meeting, we couldn’t reveal the people who spoke to us.)

Refer to "I'm special!" comments here.

And even though I’ve been in this business for more years than I’d like to admit, and interviewed countless Presidents and world leaders [Have I mentioned I'm special?], it’s still thrilling—and even a little awe-inspiring—to get “briefed” at the White House, no matter who is sitting in the Oval Office.

Because I'm a shallow, partisan hack in the same room with the classy and very talented Brit Hume.

As I was looking at my colleagues around the room—Charlie Gibson, George Stephanopoulos, Brian Williams, Tim Russert, Bob Schieffer, Wolf Blitzer, and Brit Hume—I couldn’t help but notice, despite how far we’ve come, that I was still the only woman there.

EEEEEK! PENII !!!

Well, there was some female support staff near the door.

The poor, hapless, patriarchally oppressed fools.

But of the people at the table, the “principals” in the meeting, I was the only one wearing a skirt.

Look at me!! I'm so unconventional, yet down to earth at the same time!Just like the little people. Little people that wear Pravda.

Everyone was gracious [Really? I'm shocked!], though the jocular atmosphere was palpable.

joc·u·lar (jŏk'yə-lər)adj.1. Characterized by joking. 2. Given to joking.

So everyone was gracious and joking and playful and friendly?THOSE BASTARDS!!! However did you endure, poor Katie??!?!?!?You should sue. Hate crime, discrimination, penis envy...Maybe she thinks jocularity has something to do with jocks.

The feminist movement that began in the 1970’s helped women make tremendous strides

Yep! You're almost equal to men in suicides, gang memberships, having many bastard children, cancer and heart disease, incarceration rates, violent deaths, mental illness and chemical dependency. You've come a long way, baby.

—but there still haven’t been enough great leaps for womankind.

Oh, if only there were more super-important women like me...You've got Skeletor Pelosi and Danica. What else do you want, hon?Lighten up.

Fifty-one percent of America is female, but women make up only about sixteen percent of Congress

Maybe less women run for office because they want to raise children (and God bless 'em). Any stats to back your assertions up, or are you just talking out of your wide ass?Get some women more people will vote for. Problem solved.

—which, as the Washington Monthly recently pointed out, is better than it’s ever been...but still not as good as parliaments in Rwanda (forty-nine percent women) or Sweden (forty-seven percent women).

Oh puhlease, let us be more like Rwanda! Do you own a machete, Katie?What's their GDP again? And Sweden? Where is my mandatory government issued machine gun, Katie?Get us all one of those, then we'll talk.

Only nine Fortune 500 companies have women as CEO’s.

Which ones are they? I'm going to boycott them just for spite, you stupid b**ch.How many were there 25 years ago?

That meeting was a reality check for me—and not just about Iraq.

And of course, I have a perfect grasp of reality.All rabidly left-wing, socialist millionaires do.

It was a reminder that all of us still have an obligation to ask: Don’t more women deserve a place at the table too?

I think pampered, American, white Katie should be fired and replaced with a blind, crippled, non-English-speaking, Oriental midget Muslim pedophile.That'll show 'em! Diversity rocks!I'm surprised Katie hasn't blamed her lame ratings on misogyny and sexism.But that may be hard when men AND women are tuning out in droves.

Posted by Katie Couric at 9:14 AM : January 17, 2007

Lord, I know it's wrong to hate, but how about REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY DISLIKING A STUPID &^%&^%!!!?!?!?!?

Of which two out of the three I actually respect for their journalistic talents; the other one I can't understand when she speaks, but still has important attributes of a solid news journalist babe.

You see, dear Kate, I have no problem with women. My wife is smarter and more talented than I shall ever be. (I love that about her.)I just like to goad shrill, retarded feminists.

I don't eschew your show because your a woman. Indeed, I don't watch because you are a tantrum-prone, uber-rich, elitist-snob, anti-gun, pro-death moonbat, hell-bent on controlling my life.

We're not married, and you're not my mom, so controlling me isn't your freakin' job.(Although, I will consider giving in to your demands for half of your assets, however - I hate you, but I'm not an idiot.)

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Dear Gun-grabbing Libs:If you want to put your money where your mouth is, proudly display these on your home and automobiles:

I think displaying these will prove you are brave and confident of your concept of reality that you wish to force upon others using people with guns.The irony meter is pegged.

So go ahead!Show your neighbors and the criminals you won't tolerate evil inanimate objects.You'll make a great point (or tragic case study), and at the same time you will make my home and family much safer!

If you're a politician or a celebrity, show some courage and leadership; have all your guards armed only with consumer-available pepper spray, and a set of car-keys splayed between the knuckles (scary!). That'll get some guns off of the streets right there.

When I am convinced this strategy is effective, I will consider handing over my alleged firearms (that I don't have any of, and even if I did, said alleged possession is none of the government's damn business anyway).

[Frenchy says:]My latest book, American Vertigo, is an account of a journey I took through the US. I wrote it because I thought that for a European intellectual there was nothing more important than to understand what was happening in America, to go and tell the Americans what was wrong with their society.

To which Vox replies:

This is the sort of "intellectual" whose ass I'd like to kick, then explain to him that the ass-kicking was actually a metaphorical piece of performance art intended to raise consciousness about the suppression of the French language by the global English hegemony and that anyone who is not honored to have played a vital role in such an important, revolutionary speaking of truth to power must be a complete Philistine.

That was the part where coffee came out of my nose.Was he channeling FrankJ for a moment?

Friday, January 05, 2007

If you insert a 121 ohm, 1/4 watt (terminating) resistor into the 24 volt section of a DeviceNet network, instead of landing it on CANH and CANL of said DeviceNet network, you will find that it gets hot.

Really, really fast.

Fortunately, as your holding the resistor by its body to tighten the terminal screw on the lead, your fingers will give you fairly rapid feedback on this phenomenon, much to the apparent delight of others in the room.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Another sign you're part of the VRWC (Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy):When you reach into your pocket for some coffee money at work and have a couple of empty shell casings (or the even the occasional live round) in your pocket along with the change.

This is definitely an opportunity to see varied reactions by others. This is a great way to size people up.

If you see this particular phenomenon, it is usually safe assume the person is cool (read libertarian and/or conservative).This is not necessarily an axiom, as there are occasional exceptions, but said exceptions are exceedingly rare.

Gun people generally rock.They are also quite attractive by conventional standards, as well as exhibiting an inner beauty.

Of course, I can only speak for myself. ;)

Likewise, if you see one of these VRWC folks and you purchase a firearm for them, they will really dig you, and buy you coffees all the time!!

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

(Click pic to largify!)A good friend of mines wife makes these little mice for Christmas.

They are quite tasty, and are constructed thusly:A Hershey's kiss with almond chip ears for the head, and a chocolate dipped maraschino cherry for the body and tail.I don't know what makes the little red eyes.(I know what makes me have little red eyes, but those days are long gone.)

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Well, here is the mystery present that was inside the box mentioned in the post, "Whatever Could It Be?"It be this.

An M59/66 Yugoslavian version of the SKS.An interesting story about how it ended up under the tree.

It went something like this.

Mrs. jimmyb: Honey, I feel bad, I only got you one present for Christmas. You need to tell me something you want.

jimmyb: I don't need anything, honey. I'm fine. :)

Mrs. jimmyb: You need to tell me, you got more than one present for me. So think of something.

jimmyb: Uhhhhh...did I mention I bought a rifle a week or two ago?

Mrs. jimmyb: You bought a rifle and didn't tell me?

jimmyb: Well, it was really cheap at Dunham's, and I just kind of forgot.

Mrs. jimmyb: Well, ok then. Then that's your present, I guess.(*Editors note: She said this nicely, not snottily*)

jimmyb: Sweeeeet.

This was indeed a Dunham's purchase and the price was right. Cheap!!As it is basically an SKS type rifle, it shoots the ubiquitous and (relatively) inexpensive 7.62x39mm round. The M59/66 has a fixed magazine with a 10 round capacity.It also has a bayonet (folding, and not readily removable), as well as grenade launcher on the end of the barrel that looks like a flash-suppressor.

All the serial numbers (receiver, magazine, stock, bolt, etc) match, and everything not readily visible is covered in cosmoline, which means a complete disassemble/cleaning session before live-fire time at the range. You can see a little of the cosmoline on the end of the bayonet in the above picture.

The metal is in quite good shape and the wood is in good shape, as well..

If one actually had grenades (stoopid federal laws!) they would fit in the end of the barrel on the launcher, and would be fired by a blank that looks like the one below.

There is also a flip up sight for the grenade-launcher shown next.

The grenade sight can only be raised after the gas shutoff valve to the gas tube is moved to the proper position. This prevents the pressure from the grenade launching blank from being wasted going back through the gas tube to cycle the bolt.

Additionally, one would never want to try to launch a grenade with an actual round (i.e. one containing a bullet), as that would be quite ugly, I am sure.

There are several types of grenades (illumination, smoke, explosive, anti-tank, etc.) that can be used with this system, none of them available at Dunham's. :(

Also, if your gun fires one shot, and then does not cycle the bolt, then your problem is either a damaged gas tube/system (which does occur in these occasionally) or the shut-off valve is in the wrong position.

Gas shutoff valve:One downside of the 59/66 is the lack of a chrome-lined barrel. This could definitely could be an issue on long missions where infrequent cleaning is the norm. However, for a range rifle and a SHTF weapon, it is cheap, reliable and fairly accurate (from what I have read).Range test will be sometime in the future. After the de-cosmo-ing.

Because of the grenade launcher (and bayonet, maybe?, this rifle is considered evil in Kalifornistan, just FYI.